I believe so too, but that does not mean anything for my argument. They are trying to rally people so that they can get better profits. The fact that maybe (and i'm skeptical about it) other people do too, it's coincidental for them, i'm sure.
The walled garden has been hugely beneficial for developers, the relative app sales rates between iOS and Android is proof of that. And iOS customers overwhelmingly prefer the walled garden, it’s the main reason they buy iPhones.
If the walled gardens was costing Apple customers instead of attracting them, the iPhone would have failed years ago. Android devices are cheaper, more diverse, and more flexible. There would be scant reasons to buy an iPhone.